An appeal to the rulers of Ivory Coast to restore “a lasting peace” to the population of the country and an appeal to France not to forget Africa are contained in a declaration issued by the French Episcopal Conference and signed by Bishop Marc Stenger of Troyes, president of Pax Christi, and Bishop Francois Maupu of Verdun, president of the Justice and Peace, on behalf of the French bishops. “Nine French soldiers write the bishops have been killed in Ivory Coast. They were participating in a peace-keeping force for the peace and security of the population”. They were engaged in an operation to which “they have given their life” and this says the bishops “arouses great emotion and deep anxiety in all those concerned about the future of Ivory Coast and Africa as a whole, a continent scarred by numerous fratricidal conflicts”. In expressing their condolences to the families of the soldiers killed, the bishops re-affirm their “total solidarity with all those, whether soldiers or civilians, who are risking their life to complete the peace mission. We condemn the actions of those who, in disregard of the agreements reached and the documents signed, are contributing to foment the cycle of violence and death. We appeal for the way of dialogue to be resumed and for the country’s leaders to dedicate themselves to a lasting peace for the Ivorian people. In this circumstance, we also wish to appeal to duty of all of us not to forget Africa, its present and its future. We have given a home to many Africans in our territory. They ask for our brotherhood”.
